coven
[kuhv-uh n, koh-vuh n]
- an assembly of witches, especially a group of thirteen.
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Origin of coven
1500–10 for sense “assembly”; 1655–65 for current sense; variant of obsolete covent assembly, religious group, convent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for coven
Contemporary Examples
Kathy Bates was really good on American Horror Story: Coven.
The Biggest Emmys Snubs and Surprises: 'Modern Family,' McConaughey, and MoreKevin Fallon
August 26, 2014
Guggenheim pulled the confirmed bachelor into her coven of beatnik friends.
On American Horror Story: Coven, Jessica Lange plays a drunk witch.
The Best TV Shows of 2013: ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ ‘Breaking Bad’ and MoreKevin Fallon
December 13, 2013
Entertainment Weekly Stevie Nicks to guest star on American Horror Story: Coven.
But Coven is also groundbreaking in ways, at least at this point in its run, that it may not be receiving credit for.
‘Boy Parts’ Proves ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Is the Boldest Drama on TVKevin Fallon
October 17, 2013
Historical Examples
He nodded, and followed the priest and the worshipers into the main part of the Coven.
The Status CivilizationRobert Sheckley
At the far end of the block he could see the tiny red light of the Coven.
The Status CivilizationRobert Sheckley
But he kept on crawling, and at last he reached the door of the Coven.
The Status CivilizationRobert Sheckley
The Devil sat at the head of the table, and all the Coven about.
The Witch-cult in Western EuropeMargaret Alice Murray
Helen Fraser, of the same “coven,” was a most dangerous witch.
Witch StoriesE. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn) Linton
coven
- a meeting of witches
- a company of 13 witches
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Word Origin
C16: probably from Old French covin group, ultimately from Latin convenīre to come together; compare convent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for coven
n.
"a gathering of witches," 1660s, earlier (c.1500) a variant of covent, cuvent early forms of convent. Association with witches arose in Scotland, but not popularized until Sir Walter Scott used it in this sense in "Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft" (1830).
Efter that tym ther vold meit bot somtymes a Coven, somtymes mor, somtymes les; bot a Grand Meitting vold be about the end of ilk Quarter. Ther is threttein persones in ilk Coeven; and ilk on of vs has an Sprit to wait wpon ws, quhan ve pleas to call wpon him. I remember not all the Spritis names; bot thair is on called "Swein," quhilk waitis wpon the said Margret Wilson in Aulderne; he is still clothed in grass-grein .... ["Criminal Trials in Scotland," III, appendix, p.606, confession of Issobell Gowdie in Lochloy in 1662]
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper